A migrant who was convicted of r@ping a 13-year-old child in Brazil escaped to the US and was discovered residing in a home that operated a licensed daycare center in Massachusetts, according to a report.
Child r@pist Andre Tiago Lucas, reportedly the father of the daycare owner’s two children, fled Brazil for the United States after receiving a 2016 sentence of nine years and four months in prison, as stated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The fugitive was apprehended by federal immigration agents in Cape Cod.
“[It’s] terrifying … that someone has been documented, that a Brazilian national fled the country because they were convicted for r@pe of a 13-year-old and could come to Massachusetts and not only disappear into the fabric of Massachusetts, but actually be living in a home that was a daycare center for young people,” Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis told Boston 25 News.
The daycare has since been closed, and its owner, Franciele Nunes, allowed her license to lapse, according to the outlet.
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care granted the home daycare’s license in March 2022 and conducted five inspections but claimed they found no indication of Lucas residing there, Boston 25 reported.
It remains unclear how long the child r@pist had been living at the location.
EEC mandates background checks for all individuals who reside in or frequently visit home daycares. However, even if they were aware of Lucas’ presence, they likely would not have identified any issues since the department does not conduct background checks for foreign criminal records or verify immigration status, according to the local news outlet.
Massachusetts State Representative Steven Xiarhos expressed concerns about the state’s capacity to ensure child safety at local daycares after learning of Lucas’ background.
“You’ve really got to, I think, go out of your way to make sure each place is as safe as it should be. And that’s with proper background checks, looking around when you visit to see if there’s any signs of anything wrong,” Xiarhos said.
“Our children are innocent. And when they go to a daycare, it’s almost like we’re putting their lives in the hands of others,” he said.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli